Boeing 747 Freighter vs Antonov 225 Mriya

By: Rocco

Comparing the Boeing 747-8 Freighter vs the Antonov An-225 Mriya? Start with the quick spec breakdown below, then dive into the story for the bigger picture.

Boeing 747-8 Freighter
Cargo Airplanes
Boeing 747-8 Freighter
ICAO: B748 Status: Active Visit aircraft page
Antonov An-225 Mriya
Cargo Airplanes
Antonov An-225 Mriya
ICAO: A225 Status: Inactive Visit aircraft page

General

Units
Boeing 747-8 Freighter
Manufacturer
Boeing
ICAO code
B748
Produced
2008–Present
Price
$419.2 million (2019)
Engine
4 × General Electric GEnx-2B67
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
4 × 66,500 lbf · 296 kN -14% (total)
Avionics
Rockwell Collins
Wing tips
Raked wingtips
Seats
2
Antonov An-225 Mriya
Manufacturer
Antonov
ICAO code
A225
Produced
1988–Present
Price
$250 million (2016)
Engine
6 × ZMKB Progress D-18T turbofans
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
6 × 51,600 lbf · 230 kN +16% (total)
Avionics
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
6

Dimensions

Boeing 747-8 Freighter
Cabin width
20 ft 0 in 6.10 m 20 ft 0 in 6.10 m -5%
Cabin height
7 ft 10 in 2.39 m 7 ft 10 in 2.39 m -46%
Cabin length
207 ft 6 in 63.25 m 207 ft 6 in 63.25 m +39%
Exterior length
250 ft 2 in 76.24 m 250 ft 2 in 76.24 m -9%
Tail height
64 ft 2 in 19.56 m 64 ft 2 in 19.56 m +8%
Fuselage diameter
21 ft 4 in 6.50 m 21 ft 4 in 6.50 m -7%
Wing span
224 ft 5 in 68.40 m 224 ft 5 in 68.40 m -23%
Baggage volume
2818 ft 3 in 859.00 m 2818 ft 3 in 859.00 m -28%
Antonov An-225 Mriya
Cabin width
21 ft 0 in 6.40 m 21 ft 0 in 6.40 m +5%
Cabin height
14 ft 5 in 4.40 m 14 ft 5 in 4.40 m +84%
Cabin length
148 ft 11 in 45.40 m 148 ft 11 in 45.40 m -28%
Exterior length
275 ft 7 in 84.00 m 275 ft 7 in 84.00 m +10%
Tail height
59 ft 5 in 18.10 m 59 ft 5 in 18.10 m -7%
Fuselage diameter
23 ft 0 in 7.00 m 23 ft 0 in 7.00 m +8%
Wing span
290 ft 0 in 88.40 m 290 ft 0 in 88.40 m +29%
Baggage volume
3937 ft 0 in 1200.00 m 3937 ft 0 in 1200.00 m +40%

Weights

Boeing 747-8 Freighter
Max payload
292,500 lb 132,500 kg 292,500 lb 132,500 kg -47%
Fuel capacity
59,734 gal 226,118 L 59,734 gal 226,118 L -7%
Max takeoff weight
987,000 lb 447,500 kg 987,000 lb 447,500 kg -30%
Max landing weight
763,000 lb 346,000 kg 763,000 lb 346,000 kg
Antonov An-225 Mriya
Max payload
551,000 lb 250,000 kg 551,000 lb 250,000 kg +88%
Fuel capacity
64,000 gal 242,266 L 64,000 gal 242,266 L +7%
Max takeoff weight
1,411,000 lb 640,000 kg 1,411,000 lb 640,000 kg +43%
Max landing weight

Performance

Boeing 747-8 Freighter
Max cruise speed
530 kt · 610 mph 982 km/h 530 kt 610 mph 982 km/h +15%
Approach speed
145 kt · 167 mph 269 km/h 145 kt 167 mph 269 km/h -3%
Rate of climb
2,500 ft/min 13 m/s 2,500 ft/min 13 m/s +32%
Range
4,390 nm · 5,050 mi 8,130 km 4,390 nm 5,050 mi 8,130 km -47%
Service ceiling
43,000 ft 13,100 m 43,000 ft 13,100 m +19%
Takeoff distance
10,800 ft 3,290 m 10,800 ft 3,290 m -6%
Landing distance
7,000 ft 2,130 m 7,000 ft 2,130 m -35%
Antonov An-225 Mriya
Max cruise speed
459 kt · 528 mph 850 km/h 459 kt 528 mph 850 km/h -13%
Approach speed
150 kt · 173 mph 278 km/h 150 kt 173 mph 278 km/h +3%
Rate of climb
1,900 ft/min 10 m/s 1,900 ft/min 10 m/s -24%
Range
8,300 nm · 9,550 mi 15,370 km 8,300 nm 9,550 mi 15,370 km +89%
Service ceiling
36,000 ft 11,000 m 36,000 ft 11,000 m -16%
Takeoff distance
11,500 ft 3,500 m 11,500 ft 3,500 m +6%
Landing distance
10,800 ft 3,300 m 10,800 ft 3,300 m +55%

They’re big, bulky, and wouldn’t look right anywhere but an airport. We’re talking, of course, about giant planes. But which is the biggest of them all? In this article, we’ll pit the 747 vs Antonov 225 in a battle of the behemoths to see which one comes out on top.

About the Boeing 747

Starting with the Boeing 747, this plane is iconic in the aviation world. Not only was it the first wide-body airliner ever built, but it also set the standard for the rest of the industry. It’s flown by airlines worldwide and is used for passenger and cargo operations.

Why was it developed and built?

The Boeing 747 was developed in the late 1960s to meet the growing demand for air travel. At the time, airlines struggled to keep up with the growing number of passengers, and the Boeing 747 was designed to offer a larger capacity than any other plane in production.

What purpose does it serve?

The Boeing 747 is used primarily for passenger flights, but it can also be used to transport cargo. It’s got a range of 5,830 to 7,730 nautical miles, with a maximum take-off of 3,100 m. And it can also carry more than 467 passengers in its largest configuration.

About the aircraft Antonov An-225 Mriya

Now let’s look at the Antonov An-225 Mriya, an absolute beast of a plane. It’s the longest and heaviest aircraft ever built, with a wingspan of 88.4 meters and a maximum take-off weight of an impressive 1.4 million pounds.

Why was it developed and built?

The Antonov An-225 Mriya was designed to transport the Soviet Union’s Buran space shuttle, which weighed up to 200 tons. It had to be powerful enough to carry the shuttle and its cargo, as well as be able to fly long distances.

What purpose does it serve?

The Antonov An-225 Mriya is used primarily for cargo flights and has a range of up to 8,300 nautical miles. It’s capable of carrying oversized or hefty cargo, such as large generators for power plants. Also, it can be used to transport humanitarian aid and other relief supplies.

How are the Boeing 747 and Antonov An-225 Mriya different?

They’re both big, but when it comes to the Boeing 747 and the Antonov An-225 Mriya, there are more differences than similarities. Here’s a closer look at two of the world’s largest airplanes.

Size

The Antonov 225 has a maximum take-off weight of 1,410,958 lb, making it the heaviest airplane ever built. The Boeing 747, on the other hand, has a maximum take-off weight of 875,000 – 910,000 lb. That means the Antonov 225 can carry almost 50% more cargo than the 747. 

Speed

The Antonov 225 has a top speed of 850 kilometers per hour, while the Boeing 747 has a top speed of 933 kilometers per hour. That means the Boeing 747 can reach your destination almost 10% faster than the Antonov 225. But speed isn’t everything. Let’s see how they compare in other areas.

Capacity

The Antonov 225 can carry up to 250 passengers, while the Boeing 747 can carry up to 467 passengers. That means the Boeing 747 can transport almost 50% more passengers than the Antonov 225.

Range

The Antonov 225 has a range of 15,400 kilometers, while the Boeing 747 has a range of 13,320 kilometers. That means the Boeing 747 can fly almost 20% less distance than the Antonov 225.

How are the Boeing 747 and Antonov An-225 Mriya similar?

Despite their differences, the Boeing 747 and Antonov An-225 Mriya have a few similarities. Both planes are still operating, have two engines, and both use jet fuel. They are also versatile aircraft capable of performing transport missions and cargo operations.

Finally, both planes are considered “workhorses” in the aviation industry, with the 747 having a long history of reliability and dependability.

What’s better about the Boeing 747?

The airplane has a distinctive hump on its upper deck, which houses the cockpit and first-class seats, while the main deck has room for economy passengers. Here are four reasons why the Boeing 747 is still the best jumbo jet.

  1. The Queen of the Skies can fly halfway around the world without refueling. It can carry more than 660 passengers and has a range of 8,000 miles.
  2. The Boeing 747 is one of the most recognizable airplanes in the world and has been featured in countless movies and TV shows.
  3. The airplane played a vital role in globalization by making international travel more affordable and accessible.
  4. Even after 50 years, the Boeing 747 remains an iconic symbol of air travel. Hundreds of millions have flown on a Boeing 747, and it continues to be one of the most famous aircraft with passengers and crew members.

What’s better about the Antonov An-225 Mriya?

The Antonov An-225 Mriya is the most considerable airplane ever built and can carry up to 559,580 lb of cargo. It has a maximum range of 15,400 kilometers and can reach speeds up to 850 kilometers per hour. Here are four reasons why the Antonov An-225 is an excellent aircraft:

  1. The An-225 has six engines, which gives it more power and allows it to carry heavier loads than other aircraft.
  2. The plane can operate at shallow temperatures, making it ideal for missions in the Arctic or Antarctic regions.
  3. The An-225 is versatile and can be used for everything from passenger transport to cargo operations.
  4. The aircraft’s unique design allows it to take off and land in less than 2,000 feet, making it ideal for short runways.

Conclusion

The Antonov An-225 and the Boeing 747 have advantages and disadvantages, depending on your specific needs. Think carefully about your mission and requirements before deciding which aircraft to choose.